THE STORY

Sapia in Colombia transforms recycled tire tubes of bicycles, cars and trucks into eco-friendly and high quality urban lifestyle bags. They also use canvas made from recycled plastic, vegan leather, denim, cork and felt. Employees apply their passion and drive for quality performance to the workplace, and their products have wide appeal in Europe. What distinguishes this workshop is who they decided to employ: in Colombia it is difficult to find employment after age 30, and this employer hires mostly older people, and single parents. Despite their success, the owners live right across from the manufacturing facility, in the center of the City of Bolivar – one of the poorest and most notorious neighborhoods of Bogotá.